John Rowland and Workman Workman: Southern California Pioneers of 1841

By Donald Rowland

This book is an essential read for the Homestead docent as the author covers in detail the life and times of William Workman as well as John Rowland, the author’s ancestor.  This short book is packed with details from life in New Mexico as it transitioned from Spanish rule to Mexican rule. 

Both Workman and Rowland were living in New Mexico when Texas declared its independence from Mexico and eyed some of the New Mexican territory.  William Workman came under the suspicion of the governor of New Mexico (perhaps for good reason) and fled the state along with John Rowland (using a passport previously granted to him)  Rowland had made trips as far as the Colorado River and perhaps to Los Angeles itself.

Once they arrived in California, Workman lied low while Rowland obtained the land grant for Rancho La Puente from the governor of California.  Once the memory of New Mexico faded in the distance, Workman was allowed to be added as co-owner of the Rancho by a more friendly governor, Don Pio Pico, a great friend and neighbor of Workman.  Both men were able to navigate the political turmoil of California, which battled with the central government in Mexico City and with the influx of foreign immigrants.  Ultimately the United States prevailed by defeating Mexico in war and in the peace negotiations.

The next struggle for both Workman and Rowland was to preserve the land granted to them individually and severally.  They were able to secure full title to Rancho La Puente after fifteen years of legal and bureaucratic entanglements.  However, both men lost in their efforts to retain other land grants that either were given to them after the defeat by the U.S. or were deemed essential to the U.S., such as Workman’s claim of ownership of Alcatraz Island.

Both men easily adapted to American rule and prospered after the Gold Rush as they diversified their business ventures from ranching to agriculture.  Workman, along with his son-in-law, F.P.F. Temple, extended this diversification to the banking sector, which led to their undoing and untimely deaths.  Rowland deeded much of his acreage to his many children.  Thus the great Rancho La Puente, almost fifty thousand acres of prime land, slipped through the hands of the families, leaving little wealth but a rich historical heritage.